SrI: SrImathE satakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
sUthram 17
ஒருவன் ஏககாலத்திலே அநேகதே3ஹங்களைப் பரிக்ரஹிக்கிறதும் ஜ்ஞாநவ்யாப்தியாலே
(oruvan EkakAlaththilE anEka-dhEhangaLaip parigrahikkiRadhum gyAna vyApthiyAlE)
Meaning: A single soul can simultaneously assume and function through many bodies because of the pervasion of its knowledge.
Explanation
In the previous sUthram, it was established that although the soul is atomic and resides in the heart, its knowledge pervades the entire body.
A doubt may now arise.
If knowledge can extend throughout an entire body while the soul itself remains atomic, could a soul not simultaneously function through more than one body?
The commentator addresses that question here.
Simultaneous possession of multiple bodies
Normally, a soul assumes different bodies at different times according to its karma.
A person has one body in one birth and another body in a later birth.
Such succession of bodies is well known.
However, this is not the point being discussed here.
Therefore the commentator specifically says:
ஏககாலத்திலே
(EkakAlaththilE)
“At the same time.”
The discussion concerns the possibility of one soul being connected with many bodies simultaneously.
How is this possible?
The soul itself does not become many.
Nor does it expand and fill many bodies by its essential nature.
The soul remains one and atomic.
However, its attribute of knowledge is capable of extending beyond the limits of the body in which it is situated.
Because of this pervasion of knowledge, a single soul can function through multiple bodies at the same time.
Therefore, the connection with many bodies is attributed to the pervasion of knowledge (gyAna-vyApthi), not to any expansion of the soul’s essential nature.
Scriptural and traditional example
The commentator points out that this is not merely a theoretical possibility.
It is accepted in the tradition through examples such as सौभरि (saubhari).
Through extraordinary spiritual power, sages such as saubhari are described to be functioning through multiple bodies simultaneously.
Therefore, the idea of a single soul being associated with many bodies at the same time is already established in the tradition.
The purpose of mentioning such examples is not to narrate their life stories, but only to show that the principle itself is accepted.
The main point
The important conclusion is that:
- the soul remains one,
- the soul remains atomic,
- the soul does not become body-sized,
- the soul does not become many souls,
yet through the pervasion of its knowledge, it can be connected with multiple bodies simultaneously.
Thus the doctrine of the soul’s atomic nature remains unaffected.
adiyen vAsudhEva rAmAnuja dhAsan
archived in https://granthams.koyil.org
pramEyam (goal) – https://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – https://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – https://acharyas.koyil.org
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – https://pillai.koyil.org